Page 103 of Armed ’N’ Ready

And he was determined to set his new plan in action without delay.

The time for putting his future aside was over, and he didn’t want to waste another second of his life. Getting shot in the chest and seeing the woman he loved with a gun jammed against the side of her head will do that to a guy. Even if there were no baby, his goal would still be the same.

What he was about to do was miles away from how he would have liked to execute this operation. He had no champagne, no ring, and no romantic candlelit dinner, but the time was right, and the time was now. He knew it in his head and in his heart.

He took her hands in his and locked his gaze onto her incredibly beautiful face. “I love you more than anything in the world. I’d get down on one knee if I could, but I’m pretty sure I’d fall flat on my face, or my ass.” He paused, searching her eyes, seeing all that he needed. Not only his future but theirs. “Andromeda Hardt, will you marry me?”

Epilogue

Three months later

The lacy white fringe of Andi’s dress fluttered in the unexpectedly warm mid-November breeze. Her pulse beat rapidly at the two little words that were about to change her life.

She looked into the eyes of the man she loved. “I do.”

“Then I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The state police chaplain gave Nick a brief nod. “You may now kiss your wife.”

Nick slipped his arms around her, pulling her close. Looking as handsome as he did in a classic black tuxedo, he took her breath away. But it was the unabashed expression of love in his eyes that had her heart melting.

“I love you,” he whispered, then kissed her. His lips were warm, lingering on hers before pulling away. “I’ll finish that later.”

“I’ll hold you to it.” Her belly tingled, though she didn’t know if it was from the promise of yet another night filled with his lovemaking, or from the baby. What she did know was that her hormones were flying in every direction, and she craved making love with him now more than ever.

No sooner did they turn to face the crowd than the entire line of groomsmen—all of Nick’s friends—whooped and hollered like a bunch of rowdy teenagers. The rest of the guests cramming the DPC’s rear deck and grassy yard below clapped and cheered. Even Saxon and Stray, who sat obediently in a corner of the deck, began howling their congratulations.

Saxon was decked out with a big, shiny white bowtie, while Stray twisted her head first in one direction, then the next, trying to nip at the small bunch of pink flowers Tess had tied to her collar.

The reception passed in a blur, and over the next two hours, they greeted family and friends. Business had picked up over the last few months, and the guest list had included some of their regular patrons, old and new.

After waking from his coma, Nick had spent another week in the hospital, then jumped right into rehab to regain his strength. Last week, he’d returned to work on light duty only, which was driving him crazy. His house was for sale, and he’d filled his time by moving his things into her house. Correction, their house. His latest project was to turn the spare bedroom into the baby’s room.

Now they sat in a corner of the deck, waiting for a second wind. Nick leaned over and rested his hand on her mounded belly, splaying his long fingers across the lacy fabric.

“Think it’s a boy or a girl?” He shot her a grin that was both cute and devastatingly handsome.

“My mom says it’s a girl.” She nodded to another table, where Nick’s parents and hers were deep in conversation. “Yours says it’s a boy. Which do you want?”

Nick shook his head. “I don’t care. But if it’s a girl, we’re never letting her bring a boy near that telescope.”

She leaned over and punched his bicep. As she did, she caught sight of Nick’s friends knocking back beers. Raucous laughter came to her ears. Everyone was having a good time except Eric, who stood off to the side watching Tess fill Saxon’s and Stray’s water bowls. The look on his face was decidedly somber.

“What’s wrong with Eric?” She’d come to know him well enough over the past few months to recognize something was bothering him.

“He’s transferring to New Jersey.”

“New Jersey?” She couldn’t contain the shock from her voice. “Intentionally? I thought he was happy here.”

He shrugged. “Said it was time for a change.”

“Change my ass.” Narrowing her eyes first at Eric then Tess, she took a long slug of sparkling cider from her champagne flute.

“Such language,” he chided. “You’re going to be a mother soon.”

“Congratulations.”

They both turned at Joe’s voice behind them. He leaned down to give her a quick hug and a chaste kiss on the cheek.

Knowing Nick still hadn’t forgiven her ex for putting her in danger, she glanced at her husband to see his eyes narrowed to gray slits.